Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
A vibrant and crunchy Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad featuring grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, roasted cashews, and crispy chow mein noodles tossed in a savory-sweet sesame dressing. Perfect for a satisfying lunch or light dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling and Tossing
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 cup green onions, sliced
- 1 cup unsalted cashews, roasted
- ½ cup crispy chow mein noodles
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Grill the chicken breasts until fully cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Allow the chicken to cool slightly, then slice into thin strips ready for the salad.
- Chop the Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, diced bell pepper, julienned carrot, and sliced green onions for a refreshing vegetable base.
- Add Cashews: Toss in the roasted unsalted cashews to add texture and a rich nutty flavor to your salad.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Season with salt and pepper according to your preference to balance the sweet and savory flavors.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly until every ingredient is well coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Add Chicken: Gently fold in the sliced grilled chicken strips, distributing them evenly throughout the salad for a protein-rich element.
- Top with Noodles: Just before serving, sprinkle crispy chow mein noodles on top to retain their crunch and add an exciting texture contrast.
- Garnish: If desired, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro to impart a bright, herbal finish to your salad.
- Serve Immediately: Plate the salad and serve fresh to enjoy all the crispness and harmonious flavors in every bite.
Notes
- Grill chicken breasts with a little oil and seasoning for extra flavor if desired.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken with grilled tofu or extra cashews.
- The chow mein noodles should be added right before serving to keep their crunch.
- If you prefer less sodium, use low-sodium soy sauce and adjust seasoning accordingly.
- This salad can be prepped ahead by storing dressing separately and combining just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad, grilled chicken salad, crunchy salad, Asian salad recipe, healthy chicken salad, cashew salad
